System and method for subscribing to a web logging service via a dispatch communication system

ABSTRACT

A system for posting web logging (blog) messages, retrieving blog messages, and being notified of the posting of blog messages by way of dispatch communications. The system includes a wireless communication system capable of setting up dispatch communications links between subscriber units and a dispatch server. The dispatch server interfaces with a blog server. Using dispatch communications, subscriber units may send messages to the blog server for posting by way of the dispatch server, may receive notification of the posting of messages from the blog server by way of the dispatch server, and may retrieve messages from the blog server by way of the dispatch server.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/653,683, filed on Feb. 16, 2005 and entitled “WirelessCommunication System and Method of Providing Dispatch to a Blog Server”,which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, andin particular, to a wireless communication system and method ofproviding dispatch communications to a web logging (“blog”) server.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless communication systems have become increasingly popular over thelast decade. These systems allow subscribers to communicate with otherparties while being geographically mobile. Further, these systems allowsubscribers to communicate with other parties in various communicationmodes. For example, some systems allow subscribers to communicate withother parties by way of a full-duplex voice communication link, wherethe link is allocated to all parties for transmitting and receivingvoice communications (e.g., a cellular communication link). Othersystems allow users to communicate with other parties by way of ahalf-duplex voice communication link, where the link is allocated to asingle party at a particular time for transmitting voice communication(e.g., a dispatch communication link).

In addition to providing different modes of communication, wirelesscommunication systems allow subscribers to communicate with entitiesoutside of their respective systems. For instance, subscribers are ableto access an external network, such as the Internet, to provide andobtain information to and from entities connected to the externalnetwork. Such entities may include webpage servers, email servers, otherwireless communication systems, etc.

Of particular interest is the external entity of a web logging server,or otherwise known as a “blog” server. Blog servers allow users to postmessages on personal webpages which are accessible to the public or arestricted number of users by way of the Internet. Other users accessesother parties blog webpages to view messages posted by the owners of theblog. The messages are in text form. Thus, to access a message, a usertypically uses a device with a display (e.g., a desktop computer) toview the message on the display. In addition, because the messages arein text form, the owner of the blog has to type the message and thenupload the message to the blog server.

A drawback of the blog message accessing and posting described above isthat a user must be generally stationary to operate a computer in orderto access messages from and post messages to a blog webpage. Other moreportable devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), allow auser to be more mobile. However, they still require a user to read andtype the text messages, which is inconvenient or impossible in certainsituations, such as when a person is driving a car.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising a web logging(“blog”) server and a dispatch server. The dispatch server is adapted toreceive a dispatch multimedia communication from a subscriber unitcontaining a message by way of a wireless communication system, and sendthe message to the blog server for posting on a webpage. The message maybe in the form of a text, audio, image, and/or video. The dispatchserver may be further adapted to generate a text, audio, image and/orvideo file of the message from the dispatch multimedia communication,and send the file to the blog server for posting. In addition, if themessage is received as an audio, the dispatch server may have the audiofile converted into a text file by a speech-to-text server, and thensend the text file to the blog server for posting.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising a blogserver adapted to generate a notification after receiving a message tobe posted on a webpage; and a dispatch server adapted to receive thenotification from the blog server, and send a dispatch communicationcontaining the notification to a subscriber unit by way of a wirelesscommunication system. The dispatch communication may be a call alert ora dispatch multimedia communication containing a text, audio, imageand/or video file of the message. The dispatch server may receive thenotification in any type of multimedia format, such as a text, audio,image and/or video. If the dispatch server receives the notification asa text file, it may have it converted into an audio file by atext-to-speech server. The blog server may provide such notification toonly registered subscriber units.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising a blogserver including a message posted on a webpage; and a dispatch serveradapted to receive a request from a subscriber unit for the message byway of a wireless communication system, forward the request to the blogserver, receive the requested message from the blog server, and send themessage to the subscriber unit by way of a dispatch multimediacommunication via the wireless communication system. The dispatch servermay receive the message in any multimedia format, such as a text, audio,image and/or video. The request from the subscriber unit may be receivedby the dispatch server as a call alert or a dispatch multimediacommunication. If the request is received as a dispatch multimediacommunication, the dispatch server may be adapted to convert themultimedia communication into an audio file, and send the audio file tothe blog server. In addition, the dispatch server may have the audiofile converted into a text file by a speech-to-text server, and thensend the text file to the blog server. The dispatch server may receivethe message from the blog server in any type of multimedia format, suchas such as a text, audio, image and/or video. If it receives the messageas a text file, the dispatch server may have a text-to-speech serverconvert it into an audio file.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a dispatch server comprisinga network interface; and a processor adapted to receive a dispatchmultimedia communication by way of the network interface, wherein thedispatch multimedia communication includes a message to be posted on ablog webpage, and send the message to the blog server for posting by wayof the network interface. The processor may be adapted to convert themessage into an audio file, have the audio file converted into a textfile by a speech-to-text server, and send the text file to a blog serverfor posting by way of the network interface. A method and softwaremodule related to the operation of the dispatch server are alsodisclosed.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a dispatch server comprisinga network interface; and a processor adapted to receive a notificationfrom a blog server by way of the network interface indicating that amessage has been recently posted on a blog webpage, and send a dispatchcommunication including the notification to a subscriber unit by way ofthe network interface. The dispatch communication may be a call alert ora dispatch multimedia communication containing a text, audio, imageand/or video representation of the notification. The processor may beadapted to receive the notification as a text file, have the text fileconverted into an audio file by a text-to-speech server, and send thecorresponding audio to the subscriber unit via a dispatch multimediacommunication. Such notification may be sent to only registeredsubscribers, which the dispatch server may assist in the registrationprocess. A method and software module related to the operation of thedispatch server are also disclosed.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a dispatch server comprisinga network interface; and a processor adapted to receive a request for amessage posted on a blog webpage from a subscriber unit by way of thenetwork interface, forward the request to a blog server by way of thenetwork interface; receive the message from the blog server by way ofthe network interface; and send a dispatch multimedia communicationcontaining the message to the subscriber unit by way of the networkinterface. The request received from the subscriber unit may be in theform of a call alert or any type of dispatch multimedia communication.The processor may be further adapted to convert the dispatch multimediacommunication into an audio file, have the audio file converted into atext file by a speech-to-text server, and send the text file to the blogserver by way of the network interface. The processor may be furtheradapted to receive the message in a text, audio, image, and/or videoformat. If it receives it as a text file, it may send it to atext-to-speech server for conversion into an audio file. A method andsoftware module related to the operation of the dispatch server are alsodisclosed.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a blog server, comprising anetwork interface; and a processor adapted to receive a message in anytype of multimedia format, determine a webpage to post the message, andpost the message on the webpage. The message may include an identifierassociated with the web page, and wherein the processor is adapted todetermine the webpage using the identifier. A method and software modulerelated to the operation of the blog server are also disclosed.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a blog server comprising anetwork interface; and a processor adapted to receive a message to beposted on a webpage by way of the network interface, post the message onthe webpage, and send a notification of the posting of the message to asubscriber unit by way of the network interface. The processor may beadapted to receive an acknowledgement of the receipt of the notificationby way of the network interface. The processor may also be adapted toregister subscriber units to which automatic notifications of theposting of messages are sent. A method and software module related tothe operation of the blog server are also disclosed.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a blog server comprising anetwork interface; and a processor adapted to receive a request from arequesting entity by way of the network interface for a message in anytype of multimedia format posted on a webpage, access the message, andsend the message to the requesting entity by way of the networkinterface. A method and software module related to the operation of theblog server are also disclosed.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a subscriber unit comprisingan interface and a processor. The processor is adapted to receive adispatch communication including a notification of the posting of amessage on a blog webpage by way of the interface; and inform a user ofthe subscriber unit of the notification. The processor may be furtheradapted to send a subscription request to a wireless communicationsystem by way of the interface, wherein the subscription request is forreceiving blog services, such as the automatic receiving ofnotifications of the posting of messages on a blog webpage; and receivea subscription response message from the wireless communication systemby way of the network interface. The dispatch communication containingthe notification may be a call alert or any type of dispatch multimediacommunication. The subscriber unit may include a speaker, display,and/or other device used to inform the user. The interface may be an RFinterface or a network interface. A method and software module relatedto the operation of the subscriber unit are also disclosed.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a subscriber unit comprisingan interface and a processor. The processor is adapted to send adispatch communication to a wireless communication system by way of theinterface, wherein the dispatch communication serves as a request for amessage posted on a blog webpage; and receive a dispatch multimediacommunication including the message from the wireless communicationsystem by way of the interface. The dispatch communication may be a callalert or any type of dispatch multimedia communication. The interfacemay be an RF interface or a network interface. A method and softwaremodule related to the operation of the subscriber unit are alsodisclosed.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a subscriber unit comprisingan interface; and a processor to send a dispatch communication to awireless communication system by way of the interface, wherein thedispatch communication comprises a message to be posted on a web loggingwebpage. The message may be in text, audio, image and/or video format.The processor may be further adapted to send the dispatch communicationto a dispatch server by way of the wireless communication system. Inaddition, the processor may be adapted to assist in the setup andtermination of a dispatch communication link to the dispatch serverthrough which the dispatch communication sent. In the setup of thedispatch communication link, the processor may be adapted to send a callrequest message that includes information which indicates to thedispatch server that the dispatch communication link is for the postingof a message on the web logging webpage. A method and software modulerelated to the operation of the subscriber unit are also disclosed.

Other aspects, features, and techniques of the invention will beapparent to one skilled in the relevant art in view of the followingdetailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wirelesscommunication system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a signal flow diagram related to an exemplary methodof posting a new message on a web logging (“blog”) webpage in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a signal flow diagram related to an exemplary methodof a subscriber unit subscribing to a blog service in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates a signal flow diagram related to an exemplary methodof notifying a subscriber unit of the posting of a new message inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates a signal flow diagram related to another exemplarymethod of notifying a subscriber unit of the posting of a new message inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a signal flow diagram related to an exemplary methodof retrieving a posted message in accordance with another embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a signal flow diagram related to another exemplarymethod of retrieving a posted message in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a signal flow diagram related to another exemplarymethod of retrieving a posted message in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a signal flow diagram related to another exemplarymethod of retrieving a posted message in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9A illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary dispatch server inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9B illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method of assistingin the posting of a message by the exemplary dispatch server inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9C illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method of assistingin the subscribing of a subscriber unit to receive user Y's blog serviceby the exemplary dispatch server in accordance with another embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 9D illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method of assistingin the notification of a subscriber unit (SU) of the posting of a blogmessage by the exemplary dispatch server in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9E illustrates a flow diagram of another exemplary method ofassisting in the notification of a subscriber unit (SU) of the postingof a blog message by the exemplary dispatch server in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 9F through 9I illustrate flow diagrams of various exemplarymethods of assisting in the delivery of a posted message to a requestingsubscriber unit by the exemplary dispatch server in accordance withother embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 10A illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary blog server inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10B illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method of posting amessage by the exemplary blog server in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10C illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method ofregistering a subscriber unit for user Y's blog services by theexemplary blog server in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 10D illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method of notifyinga registered subscriber unit of a message posted on a webpage by theexemplary blog server in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 10E illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method of sending arequested message to a subscriber unit by the exemplary blog server inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11A illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary subscriber unit inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11B illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary method ofsubscribing to user Y's blog service by the exemplary subscriber unit inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11C illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method of receivinga notification of the posting of a message by the exemplary subscriberunit in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11D illustrates a flow diagram of another exemplary method ofreceiving a notification of the posting of a message by the exemplarysubscriber unit in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11E illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method of retrievinga message posted on a webpage by the exemplary subscriber unit inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11F illustrates a flow diagram of another exemplary method ofretrieving a message posted on a webpage by the exemplary subscriberunit in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11G illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method of posting amessage on a blog webpage by the exemplary subscriber unit in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wirelesscommunication system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. The wireless communication system 100 provides subscribersthe capability of posting messages on web logging (“blog”) webpages byway of dispatch communications, the capability of receiving notificationof the posting of new messages on blog webpages by way of dispatchcommunications, and the capability of receiving posted blog messages byway of dispatch communications. The wireless communication system 100comprises an internal network 102, a media server 104, a gateway 106, adispatch call controller 108, and a plurality of base stations 110, 112,and 114. The wireless communication system 100 serves a plurality ofsubscriber units (SUs) 116, 118, and 120.

The media server 104 generates dispatch packets for transmission throughthe internal network 102. The gateway 106 provides an interface betweenthe internal network 102 and an external network 150. The dispatch callcontroller 108 assists in setting up dispatch calls, controls dispatchcommunications between parties, and assists in terminating dispatchcalls. The base stations 110, 112, and 114 provide a wireless interfacebetween the internal network 102 and the SUs 116, 118, and 120. Theinternal network 102 may be of any suitable type, including InternetProtocol (IP), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), and frame relay. TheSUs 116, 118, and 120 may be cellular handsets, laptop computers,personal digital assistants (PDAs), desktop computers, all havingdispatch communication capability. An SU may also be connected directlyto the external network, such as a dispatch-to-desktop device.

The wireless communication system 100 may be coupled to the externalnetwork 150, which may be, for example, the Internet, a wide areanetwork (WAN), an intranet, or a local area network (LAN). Inparticular, the wireless communication system 100 is coupled to theexternal network 150 by way of its gateway 106. A plurality of serversare coupled to the external network 150 to provide services to thesubscribers of the wireless communications system 100.

These servers include a dispatch server 152, a speech-to-text server154, a text-to-speech server 156, and a blog server 158. The dispatchserver 152 generates and receives dispatch communications to and fromsubscribers, and communicates with the other servers 154, 156, and 158to implement the methods described herein. The speech-to-text server 154converts digital speech information into text. The text-to-speech server156 converts text into digital speech information. And, the blog server158 posts messages on blog webpages, notifies subscribers of the postingof recent messages, and provides subscribers with the requestedmessages. Although, in this example, the servers are shown as separateentities connected to the external network 150, it shall be understoodthat any combination of the servers may be integrated.

The following describes various methods implemented by the wirelesscommunication system 100. These methods include an exemplary method ofposting a new message on a blog webpage; a couple of exemplary methodsof notifying an SU of the posting of a new message on a blog webpage;and several exemplary methods of delivering a posted blog message to arequesting SU.

FIG. 2 illustrates a signal flow diagram related to an exemplary method200 of posting a message on a blog webpage in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. In this example, the user operating SU 116desires to post a message on a webpage generated by blog server 158using a dispatch communication.

In summary, the method 200 entails the setting up of a dispatchcommunication link between the SU 116 and the dispatch server 152, theSU 116 sending a dispatch multimedia communication containing themessage to be posted to the dispatch server 152 via the dispatchcommunication link; the terminating of the dispatch communication link;the dispatch server 152 converting the dispatch multimedia communicationinto an audio file; the dispatch server 152 sending the audio file tothe speech-to-text server 154 and receiving a corresponding text filetherefrom; and the dispatch server 152 sending the text file to the blogserver 158 for posting on the appropriate webpage.

The setting up of the dispatch communication link between the SU 116 andthe dispatch server 152 is detailed in messages 202 through 214. Inparticular, the SU 116, in response to the user activating the SU 116 tosend a dispatch multimedia message for posting on a blog webpage,transmits a CALL REQ. message 202 to the dispatch call controller 108 byway of the base station 110 and the internal network 102. The CALL REQ.message 202 includes information related to the identities of the SU 116and the dispatch server 152.

After receiving the CALL REQ. message 202, the dispatch call controller108 sends a PAGE REQ. message 204 to the gateway 106 by way of theinternal network 102. In response to receiving the PAGE REQ. message204, the gateway 106 sends a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP): INVITEmessage 206 to the dispatch server 152 by way of the external network150. The SIP: INVITE message 206 informs the dispatch server 152 that anSU desires to communicate with it in dispatch mode. Although SIP isbeing used to illustrate the embodiments of the invention, it shall beunderstood that other protocols may be used as well. In addition, itshall be understood that the protocol used by the internal network 102could also be SIP as well (i.e., the same protocol used by the externalnetwork 150). In such a case, there may not be a need for the gateway106.

If the dispatch server 152 is available to communicate with therequesting SU 116, the dispatch server 152 sends a SIP: 200 OK sessiondescription protocol 1 (sdp1) message 208 to the gateway 106 by way ofthe external network 150. In response, the gateway 106 sends a SIP: ACK(sdp2) message 214 back to the dispatch server 152 by way of theexternal network 150 acknowledging receipt of the SIP: 200 OK (sdp1)message 208. Also, the gateway 106 sends a PAGE RESP. message 210 to thedispatch call controller 108 by way of the internal network 102informing it that the dispatch server 152 is available to communicatewith the SU 116, and to begin setting up the dispatch communicationlink. In response, the dispatch call controller 108 sets up the dispatchcommunication link and sends a CALL RESP. message 212 to the SU 116 byway of the internal network 102 and base station 110 granting the SU 116the privilege to transmit a dispatch multimedia message.

Accordingly, in response to being granted the privilege to transmit adispatch message, the user may speak into the SU 116 thereby generatinga dispatch multimedia communication 216 which is transmitted to thedispatch server 152 by way of the base station 110, internal network102, gateway 106, and external network 150. The dispatch multimediacommunication 216 contains the identity of the blog and the message tobe posted on the blog webpage maintained by the blog server 158. In thisexample, the dispatch communication contains audio information. It shallbe understood that the dispatch communication may contain othermultimedia formats, such as text, image, and video. The dispatch voicepackets sent from the SU 116 to the dispatch server 152 may be sentfirst to the media server 104 by way of the base station 110 andinternal network 102. The media server 104 configures the dispatch voicepackets to be sent to the gateway 106 by way of the internal network 102for subsequent transmission to the dispatch server 152 by way of theexternal network 150.

After the user completes generating the dispatch multimediacommunication 216 by releasing the appropriate button on the SU 116, thetermination of the dispatch communication link occurs, which is detailedin messages 218 through 232. In particular, the SU 116 transmits a FLOORAVAILABLE message 218 to the dispatch call controller 108 by way of thebase station 110 and internal network 102 to open the dispatchcommunication link. The dispatch call controller 108, in response, sendsanother FLOOR AVAIL. message 220 to the gateway 106 by way of theinternal network 102.

In response to receiving the FLOOR AVAIL. message 220, the gateway 106sends a SIP:INFO (open) message 222 to the dispatch server 152 by way ofthe external network 150 to inform the server 152 of the opening of thedispatch communication link. In response, the dispatch server 152 sendsa SIP: 200 OK message 224 to the gateway 106. Although SIP is being usedfor floor control to illustrate the exemplary embodiments of theinvention, it shall be understood that other protocols, such as RealTime Control Protocol (RTCP), may be used as well.

Once the dispatch communication link between the SU 116 and the dispatchserver 152 is opened, the dispatch call controller 108 initiates a timerwith a predetermined time interval. In this example, the time intervalexpires which causes the dispatch call controller 108 to send a STOPmessage 226 to the gateway 106 by way of the internal network 102 toinform the dispatch server 152 that the dispatch communication link isbeing terminated. The dispatch call controller 108 also sends a COMPLETEmessage 228 to the SU 116 by way of the internal network 102 and basestation 110 to inform the SU 116 that the dispatch communication linkbetween the SU 116 and the dispatch server 152 has been terminated.

In response to receiving the STOP message 226, the gateway 106 sends aSIP:BYE message 230 to the dispatch server 152 by way of the externalnetwork 150 to inform the dispatch server 152 that the dispatchcommunication link between the SU 116 and the dispatch server 152 hasbeen terminated. The dispatch server 152 responds by sending a SIP: 200OK message 232 to the gateway 106 by way of the external network 150acknowledging the receipt of the message 230.

Once the dispatch communication link between the SU 116 and dispatchserver 152 is terminated, the dispatch server 152 may generate an audiofile 234 from the dispatch multimedia communication 216 received fromthe SU 116, and may then transmit the audio file 234 to thespeech-to-text server 154 by way of the external network 150. The audiofile 234 can be in any of a number of protocols, such as .wav and .mp3.The speech-to-text server 154 performs speech recognition and convertsthe audio file 234 into a text file 236. The speech-to-text server 154then sends the text file 236 to the dispatch server 152 by way of theexternal network 150.

The dispatch server 152 then analyzes the text file 236 to parse theidentity of, for example, user Y's blog (e.g., the blog I.D._Y) to whichthe message is to be posted. Using the blog I.D._Y, the dispatch server152 then sends a Request 238 (e.g., Post (blog I.D._Y, Text Msg)) topost the message contained in the text file to the blog server 158 byway of the external network 150. The Request 238 contains the message tobe posted. The blog server 158 then posts the text message on the blogwebpage which could be subsequently downloaded by anyone havingauthorization to access the webpage. Alternatively, or in addition to,the dispatch server 152 could also send the original audio file 234and/or other multimedia information 240 (e.g., Post (blog I.D._Y,Visual/Audio Msg)) received from the SU 116 to the blog server 158 byway of the external network 150. In such a case, the blog server 158would format the presentation of the multimedia message, and posts themessage on the blog webpage available to anyone authorized to access thewebpage.

Before the blog server 158 posts the message on user Y's blog, the blogserver 158 may authenticate the posting request to determine whether theposting entity (e.g., SU 116) is eligible to post the message. In makingthis determination, the blog server 158 may access a local memory forcredential information related to the posting entity. Alternatively, theblog server 158 may send a query for such credential information to anexternal server, and subsequently receive the information from theexternal server. Yet another alternative is for the blog server 158 tosend an approval request to the owner of the blog, user Y, (via email,dispatch or other communication type) requesting approval to accept theposting request. Once it has authenticated the posting request, the blogserver 158 proceeds with the posting of the message as discussed above.

FIG. 3 illustrates a signal flow diagram of an exemplary method 300 of asubscriber unit subscribing to a blog service in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. In order for the SU 116 to automaticallyreceive notifications of new messages posted on user Y's blog webpage,it should subscribe for such services from the blog server 158. Themethod 300 comprises the SU 116 transmitting a SUBSCRIPTION REQ. (userY) message 302 to the dispatch server 152 by way of the base station110, internal network 102, gateway 106, and external network 150. Thedispatch server 152, in turn, sends a SIP: SUBSCRIBE (user Y) message304 to the blog server 158 by way of the external network 150 to informthe blog server 158 of the subscription request. The messages 302 and304 include information as to the identity of user Y's blog.

In response to the subscription request, the blog server 158 mayauthenticate the subscription request to determine whether thesubscriber is eligible to receive services from user Y's blog. In makingthis determination, the blog server 158 may access a local memory forcredential information related to the candidate subscriber.Alternatively, the blog server 158 may send a query for such credentialinformation to an external server, and subsequently receive theinformation from the external server. Yet another alternative is for theblog server 158 to send an approval request to the owner of the blog,user Y, (via email, dispatch or other communication type) requestingapproval to provide blog service to the candidate subscriber.

Once the blog server 158 has approved the subscription request, the blogserver 158 registers SU 116 as a subscriber to user Y's blog. The blogserver 158 then sends a SIP: 200 OK message 306 to the dispatch server152 by way of the external network 150 to inform it that thesubscription request has been accepted. The dispatch server 152generates a blog I.D._Y which is used to map SU 116 to user Y's blogservice. The blog I.D._Y may also be used to map other SUs to user Y'sblog services. In response, the dispatch server 152 sends a SUBSCRIPTIONACCEPT (blog I.D._Y) message 308 to the SU 116 by way of the gateway106, internal network 102, and base station 110. The SUBSCRIPTION ACCEPT(blog I.D._Y) message 308 informs the SU 116 that it is now a subscriberto user Y′ blog service. The SU 116 stores the blog I.D._Y for use inmapping the blog I.D._Y to user Y. For example, the blog I.D._Y may bean 8-bit identifier. Alternatively, the blog I.D._Y may be a UniversalFleet Member Identifier (UFMI), a SIP URI, Tel URI, or an E.164.

The above method 300 of subscribing to blog services provided by userY's blog is merely one example. There are many other ways that acandidate subscriber may subscribe to user Y's blog service. Forinstance, the candidate subscriber may subscriber by accessing a webpageassociated with user Y's blog service. The webpage may include an inputobject to obtain information related to the candidate subscriber inorder to assess whether the subscriber is eligible for user Y's blogservice. Alternatively, the candidate subscriber may subscribe bysending a subscription request via an email to an email addressassociated with user Y's blog service.

FIG. 4A illustrates a signal flow diagram related to an exemplary method400 of notifying a subscriber unit of the posting of a new message inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention. In summary, themethod 400 entails a new message posted on user Y's webpage, the blogserver 158 sending a notification to the dispatch server 152; thedispatch server 152 then sending a call alert message to the SU 116 toinform it that a new message has been posted on user Y's blog webpage;and the dispatch server 152 informing the blog server 158 that it has orwill notify SU 116 of the posting of the message.

More specifically, once the SU 116 is registered to receive servicesfrom user Y's blog, when a new message is posted on user Y's webpage,the blog server 158 sends a notification to the SU 116. In this regard,blog server 158 sends a SIP: NOTIFY (blog I.D._Y or URL of Msg) message402 to the dispatch server 152 by way of the external network 150. Thedispatch server 152 may map the Universal Resource Locator (URL) of theposted message into the corresponding blog I.D._Y, which identifies themessage. Using the blog I.D._Y, the dispatch server 152 knows which SUs,such as SU 116, to send a call alert for notification of the recentposting of the message on user Y's blog webpage. If the blog I.D._Y isassociated with a plurality of SUs, the dispatch server 152 may assign agroup call I.D. as the blog I.D._Y. In such a case, the dispatch server152 would initiate a group call to send call alerts to the SUsidentified by the group call I.D.

Once the dispatch server 152 obtains the notification, it sends a callalert to SU 116, which is detailed in messages 404 to 420. Inparticular, the dispatch server 152 sends a SIP: INVITE (blog I.D._Y)message 404 to the gateway 106 by way of the external network 150. Thegateway 106 then sends a CALL ALERT (blog I.D._Y) message 406 to thedispatch call controller 108 by way of the internal network 102. Thedispatch call controller 108 then sends a CALL ALERT (blog I.D._Y)message 408 to the SU 116 by way of the internal network 102 and basestation 110, thereby informing the SU 116 that a new message has beenposted on user Y's blog webpage. In notifying the user, SU 116 maps theblog I.D._Y to user Y's identity information.

In response to receiving the CALL ALERT message 408, the SU 116 sends aCALL ALERT RESP. message 410 to the dispatch call controller 108 by wayof the base station 110 and internal network 102. The dispatch callcontroller 108, in turn, sends a CALL ALERT RESP. message 412 to thegateway 106 by way of the internal network 102. The gateway 106 thensends a SIP:200 OK message 414 to the dispatch server 152 by way of theexternal network 150 informing the dispatch server 152 that the CALLALERT message 408 was received by the SU 116. The dispatch server 152,responds by sending a SIP: ACK message 416 to the gateway 106acknowledging receipt of the message 414.

The dispatch server 152 then transmits a SIP:BYE message 418 to thegateway 106 by way of the external network 150 to end the communicationsession. The gateway 328 responds by transmitting a SIP: 200 OK message420 to the dispatch server 152 by way of the external network 150acknowledging the end of the communication session. The dispatch server152 then sends a SIP: 200 OK message 424 to the blog server 158 by wayof the external network 150 to inform the blog server 158 that the SU116 has been notified. Alternatively, the message 424 may be sent to theblog server 158 immediately after the dispatch server 152 receives theSIP: NOTIFY (blog I.D._Y or URL of Msg) 402 message to inform the blogserver 158 that the notification will be sent to the SU 116.

FIG. 4B illustrates a signal flow diagram related to another exemplarymethod 450 of notifying a subscriber unit of the posting of a newmessage in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Insummary, the method 450 entails a new message posted on user Y'swebpage, the blog server 158 sending a text-based notification to thedispatch server 152; the dispatch server 152 then having thetext-to-speech server 156 convert the text notification into an audiofile based on user preference information; then the setting up of adispatch communication link between the dispatch server 152 and the SU116; then the dispatch server 152 sending a dispatch multimediacommunication including the audio notification to the SU 116 by way ofthe dispatch communication link; then the terminating of the dispatchcommunication link; and the dispatch server 152 informing the blogserver 158 that it has or will notify the SU 116 of the posting of themessage.

More specifically, when a new message is posted on the blog webpage, theblog server 158 sends a notification to the SU 116. In this regard, blogserver 158 sends a SIP:NOTIFY (blog I.D._Y or URL of Msg) message 452 tothe dispatch server 152 by way of the external network 150. The dispatchserver 152 may retrieve preference file associated with SU 116 from alocal memory or external server which defines various parameters for thenotification. This information, for example, may be stored as a VXMLpage or other suitable formats. In addition, the user preference filemay contain information such as, for example, whether the user of SU 116desires an audio notification in a female's voice. The dispatch server152 may also map the URL of the message into to the blog I.D._Y, whichis used to identify the message and its recipients, such as SU 116, andpossibly others.

The dispatch server 152 then sends a request to Convert (Notif.-Txt,Pref) 454 the text notification into an audio notification using theuser preference information to the text-to-speech server 156 by way ofthe external network 150. The text-to-speech server 156 converts thenotification into an audio file based on the user preferenceinformation. After the conversion, the text-to-speech server 156 sendsthe Convert Response (Notif.-Audio) 456 to the dispatch server 152 byway of the external network 150.

Once the dispatch server 152 receives the notification audio file 456, adispatch communication link is set up between the dispatch server 152and the SU 116, which is detailed in messages 458 through 482. Inparticular, the dispatch server 152 sends a SIP: INVITE message 458 tothe gateway 106 by way of the external network 150. In response, thegateway 106 sends a PAGE REQ. message 460 to the dispatch callcontroller 108 by way of the internal network 102. The dispatch callcontroller 108, in turn, sends a PAGE REQ. message 462 to the SU 116 byway of the internal network 102 and base station 110 in order to page SU116.

If SU 116 is available, it responds by sending a PAGE RESP. message 464to the dispatch call controller 108 by way of the internal network 102.The dispatch call controller 108, in turn, sends a START message 466 tothe gateway 106 by way of the internal network 102. The gateway 106 thensends a SIP: 200 OK message 468 to the dispatch server 152 by way of theexternal network 150. Once receiving a notification that the SU 116 hasbeen paged and is available, the dispatch server 152 sends a SIP: ACKmessage 470 to the gateway 106 by way of the external network 150. Thedispatch call controller 108 then sets up the dispatch communicationlink and sends a GRANT message 472 to the SU 116.

Once the dispatch communication link is set up, the dispatch server 152converts the audio file into a dispatch multimedia communication 474containing the audio notification, and sends it to the SU 116 by way ofthe dispatch communication link. Once the dispatch multimediacommunication 474 has been sent to the SU 116, the dispatch server 152then initiates the termination of the dispatch communication link. Inthis regard, the dispatch server 152 sends a SIP: BYE message 476 to thegateway 106 by way of the external network 150. The gateway 106, inturn, responds by sending a SIP: 200 OK message 482 to the dispatchserver 152 by way of the external network 150. The gateway 106 alsosends a STOP message 478 to the dispatch call controller 108 by way ofthe internal network 102. The dispatch call controller 108, in turn,sends a COMPLETE message 480 to the SU 116 by way of the internalnetwork 102 and the base station 110.

Once the dispatch communication link is terminated, the dispatch server152 sends a SIP: 200 OK message 484 to the blog server 158 by way of theexternal network 150 informing it that the notification has beendelivered to SU 116. Alternatively, the SIP: 200 OK message 484 may besent to the blog server 158 immediately after the dispatch server 152has fetched the user preference file, as discussed above. In such case,the message 484 indicates that the SU 116 will be notified.

It shall be understood that the dispatch server 152 may provide suchnotification to the SU 116 via another type of dispatch multimediacommunication, such as a text, image and/or video. In addition, asdiscussed above, in the case where a plurality of SUs are to receive thenotification, the dispatch server 152 may assign a group call I.D. asthe blog I.D._Y. In such a case, the dispatch server 152 would initiatea group call to send a dispatch multimedia communication containing thenotification to each of the SUs identified by the group I.D. andavailable to receive the communication.

It shall be understood that the blog server 158 may notify a user of theSU 116 of the posting of a message in many other ways apart from sendinga dispatch communication to the SU 116. For example, the blog server 158may send an email containing such notification to the user of SU 116.The email may be sent to an email address designated by the user of SU116. The email may be downloaded by the SU 116 itself or some otherdevice. As another example, the blog server 158 may also notify the userof SU 116 by sending a Short Messaging Service (SMS) message to theuser. The SMS message may be received by the SU 116 itself or some otherdevice.

FIG. 5 illustrates a signal flow diagram related to an exemplary method500 of retrieving a posted message in accordance with another embodimentof the invention. In summary, the method 500 entails the SU 116 sendinga call alert to the dispatch server 152 to inform it of the blog I.D._Yof user Y's blog; the dispatch server 152 retrieving an audio file ofthe message from the blog server 158; the setting up of a dispatchcommunication link between the dispatch server 152 and the SU 116; thedispatch server 152 sending a dispatch multimedia communicationcontaining the audio message to the SU 116 via the dispatchcommunication link; and the terminating of the dispatch communicationlink.

Prior to the SU 116 sending the call alert to the dispatch server 152,the SU 116 may have communicated with the blog server 158 to perform afiltering operation to retrieve particular message(s) that meet afiltering parameter. The filtering parameter may be any criteria thatlimits the number of messages to be retrieved. For example, thefiltering parameter may include message delimiters, such as by date,time, subject matter, author, and others. Thus, when such filterparameters are communicated to the blog server 158, the blog server 158sends only messages to the SU 116 that meet the filter parameter.

The sending of a call alert to the dispatch call controller 108 toinform it of user Y's blog I.D._Y is detailed in messages 502 through518. Specifically, the SU 116 sends a CALL ALERT (blog I.D._Y) message502 to the dispatch call controller 108 by way of the base station 110and the internal network 102. The blog I.D._Y may identify user Y's blogand possibly the message to be retrieved, which was identified in thefiltering process discussed above. The dispatch call controller 108, inturn, sends a CALL ALERT (blog I.D._Y) message 504 to the gateway 106 byway of the internal network 102. The gateway 106 sends a SIP: INVITEmessage 506 to the dispatch server 152 by way of the external network150. In response, the dispatch server 152 sends a SIP: 200 OK message508 back to the gateway 106 by way of the external network 150. Thegateway 106 sends a CALL ALERT RESP. message 510 to the dispatch callcontroller 108 by way of the internal network 102. The dispatch callcontroller 108, in turn, sends a CALL ALERT RESP. message 512 to the SU116 by way of the internal network 102 and base station 110. The gateway106 also sends a SIP: ACK message 514 followed by a SIP:BYE message 516to the dispatch server 152.

Once the call alert informs the dispatch server 152 of the blog I.D._Yof user Y's blog, the dispatch server 152 maps the blog I.D._Y to theaddress of user Y's blog either using a local memory or external server.Then, the dispatch server 152 retrieves an audio file of the messageposted on user Y blog webpage. In this regard, the dispatch server 152sends a Request (audio file, blog I.D._Y) 520 for an audio message(e.g., an HTTP request) to the blog server 158 by way of the externalnetwork 150. The blog server 158 uses this information to search andfind an audio message posted on user Y's blog according to the filteringprocess described above. Once it has retrieved the audio message, theblog server 158 sends the Response (audio file, blog I.D._Y) 522 to thedispatch server 152 by way of the external network 150.

Before the blog server 158 retrieves and sends the requested message tothe dispatch server 152, the blog server 158 may authenticate themessage retrieval request to determine whether the requesting entity(e.g., SU 116) is eligible to receive the message. In making thisdetermination, the blog server 158 may access a local memory forcredential information related to the requesting entity. Alternatively,the blog server 158 may send a query for such credential information toan external server, and subsequently receive the information from theexternal server. Yet another alternative is for the blog server 158 tosend an approval request to the owner of the blog, user Y, (via email,dispatch or other communication type) requesting approval to send themessage to the requesting entity. Once it has authenticated the messageretrieval request, the blog server 158 proceeds with the sending of themessage as discussed above.

Once the dispatch server 152 has the audio message file 522, itestablishes a dispatch communication link with the SU 116 which isdetailed in messages 524 to 540. In particular, the dispatch server 152sends a SIP: INVITE message 524 to the gateway 106 by way of theexternal network 150. The gateway 106 sends a PAGE REQ. message 526 tothe dispatch call controller 108 by way of the internal network 102. Thedispatch call controller 108, in turn, sends a PAGE REQ. message 528 tothe SU 116 by way of the internal network 102 and base station 110 inorder to page the SU 116.

If SU 116 is available, the SU sends a PAGE RESP. message 530 to thedispatch call controller 108 by way of the base station 110 and internalnetwork 102. The dispatch call controller 108 then sends a START message532 to the gateway 106 by way of the internal network 102. The gateway106, in turn, sends a SIP: 200 OK message 534 to the dispatch server 152by way of the external network 150, to inform the dispatch server 152that SU 116 is available.

In response, the dispatch server 152 sends a SIP: ACK message 536 to thegateway 106 by way of the external network 150. The dispatch callcontroller 108 sets up the dispatch communication link and sends a GRANTmessage 540 to the SU 116 by way of the internal network 102 and basestation 110, to inform it that a dispatch communication link has beenset up between SU 116 and the dispatch server 152.

Once the dispatch communication link between the SU 116 and the dispatchserver 152 has been set up, the dispatch server 152 converts the audiofile into a dispatch multimedia communication 542 containing the audiomessage being retrieved by SU 116, and sends it to the SU 116 by way ofthe gateway 106, internal network 102, and base station 110.

It shall be understood that the dispatch server 152 may provide themessage to the SU 116 via another type of dispatch multimediacommunication, such as a text, image and/or video. In addition, in thecase where a plurality of SUs are to receive the message, the dispatchserver 152 may assign a group call I.D. as the blog I.D._Y. In such acase, the dispatch server 152 would initiate a group call to send adispatch multimedia communication containing the message to each of theSUs identified by the group call I.D.

Once the dispatch server 152 has sent the dispatch multimediacommunication 542, the dispatch server 152 begins the process ofterminating the dispatch communication link which is detailed inmessages 544 to 558. In this regard, the dispatch server 152 sends aSIP: INFO (open) message 544 to the gateway 106 by way of the externalnetwork 150. In response, the gateway 106 sends a FLOOR AVAIL. message546 to the dispatch call controller 108 by way of the internal network102. The dispatch call controller 108 then sends a FLOOR AVAIL. message548 to the SU 116 by way of the internal network 102 and the basestation 110. After sending the FLOOR AVAIL. message 546 to the dispatchcall controller 108, the gateway 106 sends a SIP: 200 OK message 550 tothe dispatch server 152 by way of the external network 150.

The dispatch server 152 then sends a SIP:BYE message 552 to the gateway106 by way of the external network 150. In response, the gateway 106sends a STOP message 554 to the dispatch call controller 108 by way ofthe internal network 102, in order to terminate the dispatchcommunication link. The gateway 106 also sends a SIP: 200 OK message 558to the dispatch server 152 by way of the external network 150. Inresponse to receiving the STOP message 554, the dispatch call controller108 terminates the dispatch communication link. The dispatch callcontroller 108 also sends a COMPLETE message 556 to the SU 116 by way ofthe internal network 102 and base station 110, to inform it that thedispatch communication link has been terminated.

FIG. 6 illustrates a signal flow diagram related to another exemplarymethod 600 of retrieving a posted message in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. The method 600 is the same as method 500,except that the dispatch server 152 retrieves the posted message fromthe blog server 158 in text form, and then has it converted into audioform by the text-to-speech server 156. Messages of method 600 commonwith those of method 500 will be referred to with the same referencenumbers except the most significant digit is a “6” instead of a “5”.Accordingly, those common messages, having been discussed above indetail with reference to method 500, are not discussed in detail belowwith reference to method 600.

In summary, the method 600 entails the SU 116 sending a call alert tothe dispatch server 152 to inform it of the blog I.D._Y of user Y'sblog; the dispatch server 152 retrieving a text file of the message fromthe blog server 158; the dispatch server 152 having the text fileconverted into an audio file by the text-to-speech server 156; thedispatch server 152 then initiating the setup of a dispatchcommunication link between the dispatch server 152 and the SU 116; thedispatch server 152 then sending a dispatch multimedia communicationcontaining the audio message to the SU 116 via the dispatchcommunication link; and the dispatch server 152 initiating thetermination of the dispatch communication link. As discussed withreference to method 500, the SU 116 may have communicated with the blogserver 158 to perform a filtering operation to retrieve particularmessage(s) that meet a filtering parameter (e.g., date, time, subject,author, etc.).

In particular, once the dispatch server 152 receives the blog I.D._Y ofuser Y from SU 116 pursuant to messages 602 to 618, the dispatch server154 sends a Request (Msg-txt, blog I.D._Y) 619 to the blog server 158 byway of the external network 150 for a text file containing the messageposted on user Y's blog. The blog server 158 then obtains and sends aResponse (Msg-txt, blog I.D._Y) 621 containing the requested textmessage to the dispatch server 152 by way of the external network 150.As discussed above with reference to method 500, the blog server 158 mayauthenticate the message retrieval request before sending the requestedmessage to the dispatch server 152.

The dispatch server 152 then sends a request to Convert (Msg-txt, blogI.D._Y) 623 the text message into an audio message to the text-to-speechserver 156 by way of the external network 150 requesting a conversion ofthe text message into an audio file. The text-to-speech server 156 thenconverts the text message into an audio file, and sends the Response(Msg-Audio, blog I.D._Y) 625 containing the posted message in an audioformat to the dispatch server 152 by way of the external network 150.The dispatch server 152 then establishes a dispatch communication linkwith the SU 116 pursuant to messages 624 to 640, converts the audio file625 into a dispatch multimedia communication, sends the dispatchmultimedia communication 642 to the SU 116 via the dispatchcommunication link, and terminates the dispatch communication linkpursuant to messages 644 to 658.

It shall be understood that the dispatch server 152 may provide themessage to the SU 116 via another type of dispatch multimediacommunication, such as a text, image and/or video. In addition, in thecase where a plurality of SUs are to receive the message, the dispatchserver 152 may assign a group call I.D. as the blog I.D._Y. In such acase, the dispatch server 152 would initiate a group call to send adispatch multimedia communication containing the message to each of theSUs identified by the group call I.D.

FIG. 7 illustrates a signal flow diagram related to yet anotherexemplary method 700 of retrieving a posted message in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention. In summary, the method 700 entailsthe SU 116 initiating a dispatch communication link with the dispatchserver 152; the SU 116 then sending a dispatch multimedia communicationto the dispatch server 152 via the dispatch communication link to informit of the identity of user Y's blog; the dispatch server 152 thenretrieving an audio file of the message from the blog server 158; thedispatch server 152 then sending a dispatch multimedia communicationcontaining the requested message to the SU 116 via the dispatchcommunication link; and then the dispatch server 152 initiating thetermination of the dispatch communication link.

The SU 116 sending an audio message to the dispatch server 152 to informit of the identity of user Y's blog is detailed in messages 702 through724. The message may also contain the message filtering parameter toretrieve particular message(s) that meet a filtering parameter (e.g.,date, time, subject, author, etc.). Specifically, the SU 116 sends aCALL REQ. message 702 to the dispatch call controller 108 by way of thebase station 110 and the internal network 102. The dispatch callcontroller 108, in turn, sends a PAGE REQ. message 704 to the gateway106 by way of the internal network 102. The gateway 106 then sends aSIP: INVITE message 706 to the dispatch server 152 by way of theexternal network 150.

In response, the dispatch server 152 sends a SIP: 200 OK (sdp1) message708 back to the gateway 106 by way of the external network 150. Thegateway 106 then sends a SIP: ACK (sdp2) message 714 to the dispatchserver 152 by way of the external network 150. The gateway 106 alsosends a PAGE RESP. message 710 to the dispatch call controller 108 byway of the internal network 102. Then, the dispatch call controller 108sends a CALL RESP. 712 to the SU 116 by way of the internal network 102and the base station 110.

Once the SU 116 receives the CALL RESP. message 712, the SU 116 sends adispatch multimedia communication 716 containing the identity of userY's blog to the dispatch server 152 by way of the base station 110,internal network 102, the gateway 106, and the external network 150.After sending the dispatch multimedia communication 716, the SU 116sends a FLOOR AVAIL. message 718 to the dispatch call controller 108 byway of the base station 110 and internal network 102. The dispatch callcontroller 108, in turn, sends a FLOOR AVAIL. message 720 to the gateway106 by way of the internal network 102. The gateway 106 then sends aSIP:INFO (Open) message 722 to the dispatch server 152 by way of theexternal network 150. In response, the dispatch server 152 sends a SIP:200 OK message 724 to the gateway 106 by way of the external network150.

Once the dispatch server 152 has received the dispatch multimediacommunication 716 containing the identity of user Y's blog, the dispatchserver 152 converts the dispatch multimedia communication into an audiofile, and sends a Request (User Y-audio) 726 to the speech-to-textserver 154 by way of the external network 150. The speech-to-text server154 converts the User Y audio file 726 into a User Y-text file 728 andsends it to the dispatch server 152 by way of the external network 150.

The dispatch server 152 then analyzes the text file 728 to parse theidentity of the blog (e.g., the blog I.D._Y) from which the postedmessage is to be retrieved. Using the blog I.D._Y, the dispatch server152 converts the blog I.D._Y into an address associated with user Y'sblog and requested message. The dispatch server 152 then sends a Request(blog I.D._Y, Msg-Audio) 730 for an audio message posted on user Y'sblog to the blog server 158 by way of the external network 150. Inresponse, the blog server 158 retrieves and sends the Response (blogI.D._Y, Msg-Audio) 732 containing the requested message in audio to thedispatch server 152 by way of the external network 150. As discussedabove with reference to method 500, the blog server 158 may authenticatethe message retrieval request before sending the requested message tothe dispatch server 152.

Once the dispatch server 152 has the audio file 732, it initiates thesetup of a dispatch communication link with the SU 116 pursuant tomessages 734 to 740. In this regard, the dispatch server 152 sends aSIP: FLOOR REQ. message 734 to the gateway 106 by way of the externalnetwork 150. The gateway 106 sends a FLOOR REQ. message 736 to thedispatch call controller 108 by way of the internal network 102. Thedispatch call controller 108, in turn, sends a GRANT message 738 to theSU 116 by way of the internal network 102 and base station 110, andanother GRANT message. The gateway 106 then sends a SIP: FLOOR GRANTmessage 740 to the dispatch server 152 by way of the external network150 to confirm that the dispatch communication link has been set up.

Once the dispatch communication link between the SU 116 and the dispatchserver 152 has been set up, the dispatch server 152 converts the audiofile into a dispatch multimedia communication 742 containing the audiomessage and sends it to the SU 116 by way of the dispatch communicationlink. It shall be understood that the dispatch server 152 may providethe message to the SU 116 via another type of dispatch multimediacommunication, such as a text, image and/or video. In addition, in thecase where a plurality of SUs are to receive the message, the dispatchserver 152 may assign a group call I.D. as the blog I.D._Y. In such acase, the dispatch server 152 would initiate a group call to send adispatch multimedia communication containing the message to each of theSUs identified by the group call I.D.

Once the dispatch server 152 has sent the dispatch multimediacommunication 742, the dispatch server 152 initiates the termination ofthe dispatch communication link pursuant to messages 744 to 758. In thisregard, the dispatch server 152 sends a SIP: INFO (open) message 744 tothe gateway 106 by way of the external network 150. In response, thegateway 106 sends a FLOOR AVAIL. message 746 to the dispatch callcontroller 108 by way of the internal network 102. The dispatch callcontroller 108 then sends a FLOOR AVAIL. message 748 to the SU 116 byway of the internal network 102 and the base station 110. After sendingthe FLOOR AVAIL. message 746 to the dispatch call controller 108, thegateway 106 sends a SIP: 200 OK message 750 to the dispatch server 152by way of the external network 150.

The dispatch server 152 then sends a SIP:BYE message 752 to the gateway106 by way of the external network 150. In response, the gateway 106sends a STOP message 754 to the dispatch call controller 108 by way ofthe internal network 102, instructing it to terminate the dispatchcommunication link. The gateway 106 also sends a SIP: 200 OK message 758to the dispatch server 152 by way of the external network 150. Inresponse to receiving the STOP message 754, the dispatch call controller108 terminates the dispatch communication link. The dispatch callcontroller 108 also sends a COMPLETE message 756 to the SU 116 by way ofthe internal network 102 and base station 110, to inform it that thedispatch communication link has been terminated.

In this example, both dispatch multimedia communications 716 and 742 arewithin the same communication sessions. This is because there is asingle call set up and call termination. However, it shall be understoodthat the dispatch multimedia communications 716 and 742 may berespectively in different communication sessions. This would entailhaving respective call set up and call termination for the dispatchmultimedia communications 716 and 742.

FIG. 8 illustrates a signal flow diagram related to another exemplarymethod 800 of retrieving a posted message in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. The method 800 is the same as method 700,except that the dispatch server 152 retrieves the posted message fromthe blog server 158 in text form, and then has it converted into audioform by the text-to-speech server 156. Messages of method 800 commonwith those of method 700 will be referred to with the same referencenumbers except the most significant digit is an “8” instead of a “7”.Accordingly, those common messages, having been discussed above indetail with reference to method 700, are not discussed in detail belowwith reference to method 800.

In summary, the method 800 entails the SU 116 initiating a dispatchcommunication link with the dispatch server 152; the SU 116 sending adispatch multimedia communication to the dispatch server 152 via thedispatch communication link to inform it of the identity of user Y'sblog and also identify the requested message(s) using a filteringparameter (e.g., date, time, subject, author, etc.); the dispatch server152 converting the dispatch multimedia communication into an audio file;the dispatch server 152 sending the audio file to the speech-to-textserver 154 and receiving therefrom a text file; the dispatch server 152sending a request to the blog server 158 for the message using theinformation in the text file; the dispatch server 152 retrieving a textfile of the requested message from the blog server 158; the dispatchserver 152 then sending the text file to the text-to-speech 156 forconversion into an audio file, and then receiving the audio filetherefrom; the dispatch server 152 then converting the audio file into adispatch multimedia communication and sending it to the SU 116 via thedispatch communication link; and the dispatch server 152 initiating thetermination of the dispatch communication link.

In particular, once the dispatch server 152 receives the dispatchmultimedia communication containing the identity of user Y's blog fromSU 116 pursuant to messages 802 to 824, the dispatch server 152 convertsthe dispatch multimedia communication into an audio file, and then hasit converted into a text file pursuant to message 826 and 828. Thedispatch server 152 then analyzes the text file 828 to parse theidentity of the blog (e.g., the blog I.D._Y) from which the postedmessage is to be retrieved. Using the blog I.D._Y, the dispatch server152 then sends a Request (Blog I.D._Y, Msg-Txt) 827 to the blog server158 by way of the external network 150 for a text file containing therequested message posted on user Y's blog. The blog server 158 thenobtains and sends the Response (blog I.D._Y, Msg-Txt) 829 to thedispatch server 152 by way of the external network 150. As discussedabove with reference to method 500, the blog server 158 may authenticatethe message retrieval request before sending the requested message tothe dispatch server 152.

The dispatch server 152 then sends a Request (Msg-Txt, Blog I.D._Y) 833to the text-to-speech server 156 by way of the external network 150 toconvert the text message into an audio message. The text-to-speechserver 156 then converts the text message into an audio message, andsends the Response (Msg-Audio, Blog I.D._Y) 835 to the dispatch server152 by way of the external network 150. The dispatch server 152 thenconverts the audio file 835 into a dispatch multimedia communication,sends the dispatch multimedia communication 842 to the SU 116 via thedispatch communication link, and initiates the termination of thedispatch communication link pursuant to messages 844 to 858.

It shall be understood that the dispatch server 152 may provide themessage to the SU 116 via another type of dispatch multimediacommunication, such as a text, image and/or video. In addition, in thecase where a plurality of SUs are to receive the message, the dispatchserver 152 may assign a group call I.D. as the blog I.D._Y. In such acase, the dispatch server 152 would initiate a group call to send adispatch multimedia communication containing the message to each of theSUs identified by the group I.D. and available to receive thecommunication.

In this example, both dispatch multimedia communications 816 and 842 arewithin the same communication sessions. This is because there is asingle call set up and call termination. However, it shall be understoodthat the dispatch multimedia communications 816 and 842 may berespectively in different communication sessions. This would entailhaving respective call set up and call termination for the dispatchmultimedia communications 816 and 842.

FIG. 9A illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary dispatch server 900in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The dispatchserver 900 may be a detailed version of the dispatch server 152previously discussed. The dispatch server 900 comprises a processor 902,a network interface 904, and a memory 906. The processor 902 performsthe various operations of the dispatch server 900 as discussed withreference to FIGS. 9B to 9H. The network interface 904 provides aninterface to receive communications from and send communications to theexternal network 150. The memory 906, serving generally as a computerreadable medium, stores one or more software modules that control theprocessor 902 in performing its various operations. The memory 906 mayalso store the blog I.D._Y for use in mapping the SU to user Y's blog,and preference information associated with SUs.

FIG. 9B illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 910 ofassisting in the posting of a message by the exemplary dispatch server900 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. According tothe method 910, the processor 902 sends one or more messages to awireless communication system by way of the network interface 904 toestablish a dispatch communication link with an SU desiring to post amessage on user Y's blog webpage (block 911). Once the dispatchcommunication link is set up, the processor 902 receives by way of thenetwork interface 904 a dispatch multimedia communication containing themessage to be posted (block 912). In this example, the multimedia formatis audio. However, it shall be understood that the multimedia formatcould be text, image and/or video.

Once the processor 904 has received the dispatch multimediacommunication, it converts the communication into an audio filecontaining the message to be posted (block 913). The audio file may bein any number of different formats, such as .wav and .mp3. The processor902 then sends a request including the audio file by way of the networkinterface 904 to a speech-to-text server in order to have the audio fileconverted into a text file (block 914). The processor 902 then receivesthe text file, that now contains the message to be posted in text, fromthe speech-to-text server by way of the network interface 904 (block915). The processor 902 then analyzes the text file to parse theidentity of the blog (e.g., the blog I.D._Y) to which the message is tobe posted. Using the blog I.D._Y, the processor 902 then sends the textfile to the blog server by way of the network interface 904 for posting(block 916). As discussed above, the processor 902 may also send themessage to the blog server as an audio, image, and/or video file.

FIG. 9C illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 920 ofassisting in the subscribing of a subscriber unit to receive user Y'sblog services (such as the automatic notification of the posting ofmessages) in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.According to the method 920, the processor 902 receives a message by wayof the network interface 904, requesting a subscription to user Y's blogservice by the SU (block 921). The processor 902 then sends by way ofthe network interface 904 the subscription request to the blog servermaintaining the user Y's blog (block 922). The processor 902 thenreceives by way of the network interface 904 a confirmation that thesubscription has been accepted by the blog server (block 923). Then, theprocessor 902 generates a blog I.D._Y that maps the requesting SU touser Y's blog, and then sends the subscription accept message includingthe blog I.D._Y to the SU by way of the network interface 904 (block924).

FIG. 9D illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 925 ofassisting in the notification of a subscriber unit (SU) of the postingof a blog message by the exemplary dispatch server in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention. Once the SU is registered toreceive user Y's blog services, the SU may now receive automaticnotifications of new messages posted on user Y's blog webpage.Accordingly, when a new message is posted on user Y's blog webpage, theblog server sends a notification to the dispatch server. In this regard,the processor 902 receives by way of the network interface 904 anotification that a new message has been posted on user Y's blog webpage(block 926). The processor 902 maps user Y's information to the SU usingblog I.D._Y, and then sends by way of the network interface 904 amessage including the blog I.D._Y to the wireless communication systeminstructing it to send a call alert to SU (block 927). The processor 902then sends by way of the network interface 904 a message to the blogserver acknowledging that the SU has been or will be notified of theposting of the message (block 928). In the case where a plurality of SUsare to receive the notification, the processor 902 may assign a groupcall I.D. as the blog I.D._Y. In such a case, the processor wouldinitiate a group call to send call alerts carrying the notification toeach of the SUs identified by the group call I.D.

FIG. 9E illustrates a flow diagram of another exemplary method 930 ofassisting in the notification of a subscriber unit (SU) of the recentposting of a blog message in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention. According to the method 930, once the SU is registered toreceive user Y's blog services, it is able to receive automaticnotifications of new messages posted on user Y's blog webpage.Accordingly, when a new message is posted on user Y's blog webpage, theblog server sends a text notification to the dispatch server. In thisregard, the processor 902 receives by way of the network interface 904the text notification indicating that a new message has been posted onuser Y's blog webpage with the associated URL or other identifier of themessage (block 935). The processor 902 then sends by way of the networkinterface 904 a request including the text notification to atext-to-speech server to convert the text message into an audio file(block 936). The processor 902 then receives by way of the networkinterface 904 the audio file from the text-to-speech server (block 937).

The processor 902 then sends by way of the network interface 904 amessage to the wireless communication system to set up a dispatchcommunication link to the SU (block 938). The processor 902 then sendsby way of the network interface 904 a dispatch multimedia communicationcontaining the audio notification to the SU by way of the dispatchcommunication link (block 939). It shall be understood that the dispatchserver 152 may provide such notification to the SU 116 via another typeof dispatch multimedia communication, such as a text, image and/orvideo. In addition, in the case where a plurality of SUs are to receivethe notification, the processor 902 may assign a group call I.D. as theblog I.D._Y. In such a case, the processor 902 would initiate a groupcall to send a dispatch multimedia communication containing thenotification to each of the SUs identified by the group call I.D.

The processor 902 then sends by way of the network interface 904 amessage to the wireless communication system to terminate the dispatchcommunication link (block 940). The processor 902 then sends a messageby way of the network interface 904 to the blog server acknowledgingthat the SU has been or will be notified of the posting of the message(block 941).

FIG. 9F illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 950 ofassisting in the delivery of a posted message to a requesting subscriberunit (SU). According to the method 950, the processor 902 receives byway of the network interface 904 a call alert message including the blogI.D._Y of user Y's blog from the requesting SU (block 951). Theprocessor 902 translates the blog I.D._Y into user Y's blog address(e.g., a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)). The processor 902 sends arequest by way of the network interface 904 to the blog server for anaudio file containing a message posted on user Y's blog webpage (block952). The processor 902 then receives by way of the network interface904 the requested audio file from the blog server (block 953).

The processor 902 then sends by way of the network interface 904 amessage to the wireless communication system to establish a dispatchcommunication link to the requesting SU (block 954). Once the dispatchcommunication link is established, the processor 902 converts the audiofile into a dispatch multimedia communication and sends it by way of thenetwork interface 904 to the SU via of the dispatch communication link(block 955). Once the dispatch multimedia communication has been sent,the processor 902 sends by way of the network interface 904 a message tothe wireless communication system to terminate the dispatchcommunication link (block 956).

In the case where a plurality of SUs are to receive the message, theprocessor 902 may assign a group call I.D. as the blog I.D._Y. In such acase, the processor 902 would initiate a group call to send a dispatchmultimedia communication containing the message to each of the SUsidentified by the group I.D. and available to receive the communication.

FIG. 9G illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 960 ofassisting in the delivery of a posted message to a requesting subscriberunit (SU). According to the method 960, the processor 902 receives byway of the network interface 904 a call alert message including the blogI.D._Y of user Y's blog from the requesting SU (block 961). Theprocessor 902 then sends a request by way of the network interface 904to the blog server for a text file containing a message posted on userY's blog webpage (block 962). The processor 902 then receives by way ofthe network interface 904 the requested text file from the blog server(block 963).

The processor 902 then sends by way of the network interface 904 amessage including the text file to a text-to-speech server requesting aconversion of the text file into an audio file (block 964). Theprocessor 902 then receives by way of the network interface 904 theaudio file from the text-to-speech server (block 965).

The processor 902 then sends by way of the network interface 904 amessage to the wireless communication system to establish a dispatchcommunication link to the requesting SU (block 966). Once the dispatchcommunication link is established, the processor 902 converts the audiofile into a dispatch multimedia communication and sends it by way of thenetwork interface 904 to the SU via of the dispatch communication link(block 967). Once the dispatch multimedia communication has been sent,the processor 902 sends by way of the network interface 904 a message tothe wireless communication system to terminate the dispatchcommunication link (block 968).

It shall be understood that the processor 902 may provide the message tothe SU 116 via another type of dispatch multimedia communication, suchas a text, image and/or video. In addition, in the case where aplurality of SUs are to receive the message, the processor 902 mayassign a group call I.D. as the blog I.D._Y. In such a case, theprocessor 902 would initiate a group call to send a dispatch multimediacommunication containing the message to each of the SUs identified bythe group call I.D. and available to receive the communication.

FIG. 9H illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 970 ofassisting in the delivery of a posted message to a requesting subscriberunit (SU). According to the method 970, the processor 902 sends by wayof the network interface 904 a message to the wireless communicationsystem to establish a dispatch communication link with the SU (block971). The SU, in this case, initiates the dispatch communication link.The processor 902 then receives by way of the network interface 904 adispatch multimedia communication containing information that identifiesuser Y's blog from the SU via the dispatch communication link (block972). The processor 902 then converts the dispatch multimediacommunication into an audio file (block 973).

Once this conversion has taken place, the processor 902 sends by way ofthe network interface 904 the audio file to the speech-to-text server toconvert the audio file into a text file (block 974). The processor 902then receives by way of the network interface 904 the text file from thespeech-to-text server (block 975). The processor 902 then analyzes thetext file to parse the identity of user Y's blog (e.g., the blog I.D._Y)and maps the identity into an address associated with the requestedmessage on user Y's blog (block 976). Using the mapped address, theprocessor 902 sends by way of the network interface 904 a message to theblog server requesting an audio file of a message posted on user Y'sblog (block 977). The processor 902 then receives by way of the networkinterface 904 the audio file from the blog server (block 978).

The processor 902 then converts the audio file into a dispatchmultimedia communication and sends it by way of the network interface904 to the SU via the dispatch communication link (block 979). Once thedispatch multimedia communication is delivered to the SU, the processor902 sends by way of the network interface 904 a message to the wirelesscommunication system to terminate the dispatch communication link (980).

It shall be understood that the processor 902 may provide the message tothe SU 116 via another type of dispatch multimedia communication, suchas a text, image and/or video. In addition, in the case where aplurality of SUs are to receive the message, the processor 902 mayassign a group call I.D. as the blog I.D._Y. In such a case, theprocessor 902 would initiate a group call to send a dispatch multimediacommunication containing the message to each of the SUs identified bythe group call I.D. and available to receive the communication.

FIG. 9I illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 985 ofassisting in the delivery of a posted message to a requesting subscriberunit (SU). According to the method 985, the processor 902 sends by wayof the network interface 904 a message to the wireless communicationsystem to establish a dispatch communication link with the SU (block986). The SU, in this case, initiates the dispatch communication link.The processor 902 then receives by way of the network interface 904 adispatch multimedia communication containing information that identifiesuser Y's blog from the SU via the dispatch communication link (block987). The processor 902 then converts the dispatch multimediacommunication into an audio file (block 988).

Once this conversion has taken place, the processor 902 sends by way ofthe network interface 904 the audio file to the speech-to-text server toconvert the audio file into a text file (block 989). The processor 902then receives by way of the network interface 904 the text file from thespeech-to-text server (block 990). The processor 902 then analyzes thetext file to parse the identity associated with user Y's blog (e.g., theblog I.D._Y) and maps the identity into an address associated with therequested message on user Y's blog (block 991). Using the mappedaddress, the processor 902 then sends by way of the network interface904 a message to the blog server requesting a text file of a messageposted on user Y's blog webpage (block 992). The processor 902 thenreceives by way of the network interface 904 the text file containingthe message posted on user Y's blog from the blog server (block 993).

The processor 902 then sends by way of the network interface 904 thetext file to the text-to-speech server for conversion into an audio file(block 994). Then the processor 902 receives by way of the networkinterface 904 the audio file from the text-to-speech server (995). Theprocessor 902 then converts the audio file into a dispatch multimediacommunication and sends it by way of the network interface 904 to the SUvia the dispatch communication link (block 996). Once the dispatchmultimedia communication is delivered to the SU, the processor 902 sendsby way of the network interface 904 a message to the wirelesscommunication system to terminate the dispatch communication link (997).

It shall be understood that the processor 902 may provide the message tothe SU 116 via another type of dispatch multimedia communication, suchas a text, image and/or video. In addition, in the case where aplurality of SUs are to receive the message, the processor 902 mayassign a group call I.D. as the blog I.D._Y. In such a case, theprocessor 902 would initiate a group call to send a dispatch multimediacommunication containing the message to each of the SUs identified bythe group call I.D. and available to receive the communication.

FIG. 10A illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary blog server 1000 inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention. The blog server1000 may be a detailed version of the blog server 158 previouslydiscussed. The blog server 1000 comprises a processor 1002, a networkinterface 1004, and a memory 1006. The processor 1002 performs thevarious operations of the blog server 1000 as discussed with referenceto FIGS. 10B to 10D. The network interface 1004 provides an interface toreceive communications from and send communications to the externalnetwork 150. The memory 1006, serving generally as a computer readablemedium, stores one or more software modules that control the processor1002 in performing its various operations, as well as blog webpages,posted messages, subscriber information, and possibly other blog relatedinformation and parameters.

FIG. 10B illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 1010 ofposting a message by the blog server 1000 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. According to the method 1010, the processor1002 receives by way of the network interface 1004 a request to post amessage in text, audio, and/or visual format(s) on a blog webpage from adispatch server (block 1012). The processor then attempts toauthenticate the request to determine whether to proceed with theposting of the message (block 1013). In making this determination, theprocessor 1002 may access the local memory 1006 for credentialinformation related to the candidate subscriber. Alternatively, theprocessor 1002 may send a query for such credential information to anexternal server by way of the network interface 1004, and subsequentlyreceive the information from the external server. Yet anotheralternative is for the processor 1002 to send an approval request to theowner of the blog, user Y, (via email, dispatch or other communicationtype) requesting approval to provide blog services to the candidatesubscriber.

If the processor 1012 authenticates the message, the processor 1002determines which blog webpage to post the received message using userY's blog identity information accompanying the message (block 1014). Theprocessor 1004 then posts the message in which ever format it is in(e.g., text, audio, and/or visual) on the appropriate blog webpage(block 1016).

FIG. 10C illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 1020 ofregistering a subscriber unit (SU) for user Y's blog services by theexemplary blog server 1000 in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention. According to the method 1020, the processor 1002 receives byway of the network interface 1004 a request from SU by way of a dispatchserver to subscribe to user Y's blog (block 1021). In response to thesubscription request, the processor 1002 attempts to authenticate thesubscription request to determine whether the subscriber is eligible toreceive blog services from user Y's blog (block 1022). In making thisdetermination, the processor 1002 may access the local memory 1006 forcredential information related to the candidate subscriber.Alternatively, the processor 1002 may send a query for such credentialinformation to an external server by way of the network interface 1004,and subsequently receive the information from the external server. Yetanother alternative is for the processor 1002 to send an approvalrequest to the owner of the blog, user Y, (via email, dispatch or othercommunication type) requesting approval to provide blog services to thecandidate subscriber.

If the processor 1002 authenticates the subscription request, theprocessor 1002 then registers SU as a subscriber of user Y's blog (block1023). This may entail the processor 1002 creating and storing asubscriber data object in the local memory 1006. The processor 1002 thensends by way of the network interface 1004 a subscription accept messageto the SU by way of the dispatch server (block 1024).

FIG. 10D illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 1025 ofnotifying a registered subscriber unit of a message posted on a webpageby the exemplary blog server 1000 in accordance with another embodimentof the invention. According to the method 1025, once the SU hasregistered for user Y's blog services, when the processor 1002 receivesa message to be posted on user Y's blog webpage by way of the networkinterface 1004 (block 1026), the processor 1002 sends by way of thenetwork interface 1004 a notification regarding the recent posting ofthe message to the SU via the dispatch server (block 1027). Theprocessor 1002 then receives by way of the network interface 1004 anacknowledgement of the receipt of the notification by the SU or anacknowledgement that SU is to receive the notification (block 1028).

It shall be understood that the processor 1002 may notify a user of theSU 116 of the posting of a message in many other ways apart from sendinga dispatch communication to the SU 116 via a dispatch server. Forexample, the processor 1002 may send an email containing suchnotification to the user of SU 116 by way of the network interface 1004.The email may be sent to an email address designated by the user of SU116. The email may be downloaded by the SU 116 itself or some otherdevice. As another example, the processor 1002 may also notify the userof SU 116 by sending a Short Messaging Service (SMS) message to the userby way of the network interface. The SMS message may be received by theSU 116 itself or some other device.

FIG. 10E illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 1030 ofsending a requested message to an SU in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention. According to the method 1030, the processor 1002 receivesby way of the network interface 1004 a request from a dispatch serverfor a text, audio and/or visual message posted on user Y's blog webpage(block 1031).

The processor 1002 then attempts to authenticate the message retrievalrequest to determine whether the requesting entity is eligible toreceive the message (block 1032). In making this determination, theprocessor 1002 may access the local memory 1006 for credentialinformation related to the requesting entity. Alternatively, theprocessor 1002 may send a query for such credential information to anexternal server by way of the network interface 1004, and subsequentlyreceive the information from the external server by way of the networkinterface 1004. Yet another alternative is for the processor 1002 tosend an approval request to the owner of the blog, user Y, (via email,dispatch or other communication type) by way of the network interface1004 requesting approval to send the message to the requesting entity.

Once it has authenticated the message retrieval request. In response,the processor 1002 accesses the requested message from memory 1006(block 1033). The processor 1002 then sends by way of the networkinterface 1004 the requested message to the dispatch server (block1034).

FIG. 11A illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary subscriber unit(SU) 1100 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The SU1100 comprises a processor 1102, a radio frequency (RF) interface 1104including an antenna 1106, a memory 1108, a display 1110, an inputdevice (e.g., a keyboard) 1112, a speaker 1114, and a microphone 1116.The processor 1102 performs the various operations of the SU 1100 asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 11B to 11E. The RF interface 1104 andthe antenna 1106 provide a wireless interface to send communications toand receive communications from a wireless communication system. If theSU 1100 is connected to the external network 150, as in the case of adispatch-to-desktop device, the RF interface 1104 and antenna 1106 maybe replaced with a network interface.

The memory 1108, serving generally as a computer readable medium, storesone or more software modules that control the processor 1102 inperforming its various operations. The display 1110 provides a user ofthe SU 1100 with visual information. The input device 1112 allows theuser of the SU 1100 to enter information. It shall be understood thatthe display 1110 and the input device 1112 may be integrated, such as atouch-sensitive display. The speaker 1114 allows the SU 1100 to provideaudio information to the user. The microphone 1116 allows the SU 1100 toreceive audio information from the user. The following describes variousexemplary methods implemented by the SU 1100.

FIG. 11B illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary method 1120 ofsubscribing to user Y's blog service by the exemplary subscriber unit1100 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Accordingto the method 1120, the processor 1102 sends a message to a wirelesscommunication system by way of the RF interface 1104 and antenna 1106requesting a subscription to user Y's blog (block 1122). The user of SU1100 uses the input device 1112 and display 1110 to initiate theprocessor 1102 to send the subscription request message.

After the subscription request message has been sent, the processor 1102receives a subscription accept message from the wireless communicationsystem by way of the antenna 1106 and the RF interface 1104 (block1124). The subscription accept message indicates that the subscriptionrequest has been accepted. In addition, the subscription accept messagefurther includes the blog I.D._Y of user Y's blog. After receiving thesubscription accept message, the processor 1102 stores the blog I.D._Yin memory 1108 for further use in receiving notifications of messagesposted on user Y's blog and in retrieving those messages (block 1126).

FIG. 11C illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 1130 ofreceiving a notification of the posting of a message by the exemplarysubscriber unit 1100 in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention. The SU 1100, now having a subscription to user Y's blog, cannow receive notifications of the posting of messages on user Y's blogwebpage. In this regard, the processor 1102 receives a call alertincluding the blog I.D._Y from the wireless communication system by wayof the antenna 1106 and the RF interface 1104 (block 1132). Theprocessor 1102 maps the blog I.D._Y to user Y, and notifies the user ofSU 1100 using the display 1110 and/or speaker 1114 that a recent messagehas been posted on user Y's blog webpage (block 1134).

FIG. 11D illustrates a flow diagram of another exemplary method 1140 ofreceiving a notification of the posting of a message in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention. According to the method 1140, oncethe SU 1100 has subscribed to user Y's blog service, it can now receivenotifications of the posting of messages on user Y's blog webpage. Inthis regard, the processor 1102 sends the appropriate message to thewireless communication system by way of the RF interface 1104 andantenna 1106 to assist in the setting up of a dispatch communicationlink (block 1148).

The processor 1102 then receives a dispatch multimedia communicationfrom the wireless communication system by way of the antenna 1106 and RFinterface 1104 (block 1150). The dispatch multimedia communicationincludes an audio message notifying the user of the posting of a messageon user Y's blog. The processor 1102, which may include adigital-to-analog (DAC) converter, converts the digital audio messageinto analog, and then sends the analog audio message to the speaker 1114to allow the user to hear the message. It shall be understood that thesubscriber unit 1100 may receive the notification via another type ofdispatch multimedia communication, such as a text, image and/or video.

After the user is notified of the posting of the message, the processor1102 receives the appropriate messages from the wireless communicationsystem by way of the RF interface 1104 and antenna 1106 indicating thetermination of the dispatch communication link (block 1152).

FIG. 11E illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 1160 ofretrieving a message posted on user Y's blog in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. According to the method 1160, the processor1102 sends a call alert to the wireless communication system by way ofthe RF interface 1104 and the antenna 1106 (block 1162). The call alertincludes the blog I.D._Y of user Y's blog. In response to receiving thenotification received from the dispatch server, the processor 1102 thensends the appropriate message to the wireless communication system byway of the RF interface 1104 and antenna 1106 to establish a dispatchcommunication link (block 1164).

The processor 1102 then receives a dispatch multimedia communicationfrom the wireless communication system by way of the antenna 1106 and RFinterface 1104 (block 1166). The dispatch multimedia communicationincludes an audio of the message posted on user Y's blog. The processor1102, which may include a digital-to-analog (DAC) converter, convertsthe digital audio message into analog, and then sends the analog audiomessage to the speaker 1114 to allow the user to hear the message. Itshall be understood that the subscriber unit 1100 may receive themessage via another type of dispatch multimedia communication, such as atext, image and/or video. The processor 1102 also receives theappropriate messages from the wireless communication system by way ofthe RF interface 1104 and antenna 1106 indicating the termination of thedispatch communication link (block 1168).

FIG. 11F illustrates a flow diagram of another exemplary method 1170 ofretrieving a message posted on user Y's blog in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. According to the method 1170, the processor1102 sends the appropriate message to the wireless communication systemby way of the RF interface 1104 and antenna 1106 to establish a dispatchcommunication link (block 1172).

The user of the SU 1100 speaks into the microphone 1116 to provide theprocessor 1102 an audio message containing information related to theidentity of user Y's blog (block 1174). The processor 1102 may includean analog-to-digital (ADC) converter to convert the analog audio signalgenerated by the microphone 1116 into a digital audio signal. Theprocessor 1102 then sends a dispatch multimedia communication to thewireless communication system by way of the RF interface 1104 and theantenna 1106 (block 1174). The dispatch multimedia communicationincludes the audio message containing the identity of user Y's blog. Itshall be understood that the subscriber unit 1100 may send the messagevia another type of dispatch multimedia communication, such as a text,image and/or video.

After the dispatch multimedia communication has been sent, the processor1102 receives a dispatch multimedia communication from the wirelesscommunication system by way of the antenna 1106 and RF interface 1104(block 1176). The dispatch multimedia communication includes an audiomessage of the message posted on user Y's blog. The processor 1102,which may include a digital-to-analog (DAC) converter, converts thedigital audio message into analog, and then sends the analog audiomessage to the speaker 1114 to allow the user to hear the message. Itshall be understood that the subscriber unit 1100 may receive thenotification via another type of dispatch multimedia communication, suchas a text, image and/or video. The processor 1102 also receives theappropriate message from the wireless communication system by way of theRF interface 1104 and antenna 1106 indicating the termination of thedispatch communication link (block 1178).

FIG. 11G illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 1180 ofposting a message on a blog webpage by the exemplary subscriber unit1100 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Accordingto the method, the processor 1102 sends one or more messages (e.g., aCALL Req.) to a wireless communication system to establish a dispatchcommunication link with a dispatch server (block 1182). The one or moremessages contain information that informs the dispatch server that theinstant communication is for blog message posting application. Suchinformation may include an IP address, UFMI, a SIP URI, Tel URI, or anE.164.

After the dispatch communication link is established, the processor 1102sends a dispatch multimedia communication containing the message to beposted on the blog webpage to the dispatch server via the dispatchcommunication link (block 1184). In this regard, the user activates theinput device 1112 and may speak into the microphone 1116 (if themultimedia is audio) to provide the processor 1102 the audio message.The processor 1102, which may include an analog-to-digital (ADC)converter, converts the analog audio message to a digital audio message.The processor 1102 then prepares and transmits the dispatch multimedia(e.g., digital audio) communication to the dispatch server by way of theRF interface 1104 and antenna 1106. After the dispatch multimediacommunication has been sent to the dispatch server, the processor 1102sends one or more messages (e.g., a FLOOR Avail) to begin the process ofterminating the dispatch communication link to the dispatch server(block 1186).

While the invention has been described in connection with variousembodiments, it will be understood that the invention is capable offurther modifications. This application is intended to cover anyvariations, uses or adaptation of the invention following, in general,the principles of the invention, and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within the known and customary practicewithin the art to which the invention pertains.

It is claimed:
 1. A system, comprising: a web logging server adapted toregister a subscriber unit for receiving web logging service; and adispatch server is adapted to: receive a subscription request for saidweb logging service from said subscriber unit; forward said subscriptionrequest to said web logging server; receive a subscription responsemessage from said web logging server; and forward said subscriptionresponse message to said subscriber unit.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the dispatch server is also adapted to: send a first dispatchcommunication with a notification of a message posted to a web page ofthe web logging service to the subscriber unit; receive a seconddispatch communication requesting the message posted on the web pagefrom the subscriber unit; and send the posted message as dispatch voicein a third dispatch communication to the subscriber unit.
 3. The systemof claim 2, wherein the first and second dispatch communications arecall alerts.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein said web logging serveris adapted to attempt to authenticate the subscription request beforesending said subscription response message to said dispatch server. 5.The system of claim 4, wherein said web logging server is adapted toattempt to authenticate the subscription request by performing a queryfor credential information related to said subscriber unit or a user ofsaid subscriber unit stored in a local memory or external server.
 6. Thesystem of claim 4, wherein said web logging server is adapted to attemptto authenticate the subscription request by sending an approval requestto an entity managing said webpage.
 7. The system of claim 3, furthercomprising a wireless communication system including: an internalnetwork; a plurality of base stations coupled to said internal network,wherein at least one of said plurality of base stations is adapted tocommunicate with said subscriber unit by way of a wireless medium; adispatch call controller coupled to said internal network, wherein saiddispatch call controller is adapted to assist in the set up of adispatch communication link between said subscriber unit and saiddispatch server; and a media server coupled to said internal network,wherein said media server is adapted to generate dispatch packets ofsaid dispatch communication.
 8. The system of claim 7, furthercomprising: an external network, wherein said dispatch server and saidweb logging server are coupled to said external network; and whereinsaid wireless communication system further includes a gateway adapted toserve as an interface between said internal network and said externalnetwork.
 9. A subscriber unit, comprising: an interface; and a processoradapted to: send a subscription request for notifications of messagesposted on a web page of a web logging service to a wirelesscommunication system by way of said interface; receive a subscriptionresponse from said wireless communication system by way of said networkinterface; receive a first dispatch communication with a notification ofa message posted to the web page of the web logging service; send asecond dispatch communication requesting the message posted on the webpage; and receive the posted message as dispatch voice in a thirddispatch communication.
 10. The subscriber unit of claim 9, wherein thefirst and second dispatch communications are call alerts.
 11. Thesubscriber unit of claim 10, wherein said subscription responsecomprises a subscription accept including an identifier associated withsaid web logging service.
 12. The subscriber unit of claim 10, whereinsaid subscription request includes credential information used forauthentication of said subscription request.
 13. A method, comprising:sending a subscription request for notifications of messages posted on aweb page of a web logging service to a wireless communication system;receiving a subscription response from said wireless communicationsystem receiving a first dispatch communication with a notification of amessage posted to the web page of the web logging service; sending asecond dispatch communication requesting the message posted on the webpage; and receiving the posted message as dispatch voice in a thirddispatch communication.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the firstand second dispatch communications are call alerts.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein said subscription response comprises a subscriptionaccept including an identifier associated with said web logging service.16. The method of claim 14, wherein said subscription request includescredential information used for authentication of said subscriptionrequest.
 17. A computer readable medium comprising one or more softwaremodules adapted to control a processor to: send a subscription requestfor notifications of messages posted on a web page of a web loggingservice to a wireless communication system; receive a subscriptionresponse from said wireless communication system; receive a firstdispatch communication with a notification of a message posted to theweb page of the web logging service; send a second dispatchcommunication requesting the message posted on the web page; and receivethe posted message as dispatch voice in a third dispatch communication.18. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the first andsecond dispatch communications are call alerts.
 19. The computerreadable medium of claim 18, wherein said subscription responsecomprises a subscription accept including an identifier associated withsaid web logging service.
 20. The computer readable medium of claim 18,wherein said subscription request includes credential information usedfor authentication of said subscription request.